> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Use the Web Hosting File Manager

> Upload, edit, organize, and set file permissions using the built-in File Manager in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Panel for website file management.

## Your Website's Command Center

The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) includes a powerful, built-in File Manager that lets you manage all of your website files directly from your browser. No FTP clients, no extra software — just open your browser and go.

Want to upload your company logo? Edit a typo on your homepage? Change who can access a config file? The File Manager handles it all.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the File Manager

There are two quick ways to open the File Manager from within your hosting control panel:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Go to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and log in with your hosting account credentials. You will land on your dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the File Manager">
    Use either of these methods to launch the File Manager:

    * **From the navigation bar:** Click the **Files** tab in the top navigation menu.
    * **From the dashboard:** Click the **File manager** shortcut displayed on your dashboard overview.

    Both options open the exact same interface — pick whichever is faster for you.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Interface Overview

The File Manager uses a clean two-panel layout. Think of it like the file explorer on your computer — folders on the left, contents on the right.

### Left Panel — Directory Tree

The left side displays your **directory tree**. At the top you will see a **home icon** representing your account root, with folders nested below it:

* **public\_html** — Your website's web root (more on this below)
* **.mysql\_backup\_s3** — Automated MySQL backup storage

Click any folder in the tree to jump straight to it. The right panel updates instantly to show that folder's contents.

### Right Panel — File and Folder Listing

The right side shows the **contents of the currently selected folder** in a table with four columns:

| Column            | Description                    | Example                     |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------ | --------------------------- |
| **Name**          | The file or folder name        | `index.html`, `public_html` |
| **Permissions**   | The CHMOD permission value     | `755`, `644`, `600`         |
| **Size**          | The file size on disk          | `306 b`, `4.2 KB`           |
| **Last Modified** | When the file was last changed | `Mar 15, 2026 2:30 PM`      |

For example, a fresh hosting account root typically shows something like:

| Name               | Permissions | Size  | Last Modified |
| ------------------ | ----------- | ----- | ------------- |
| .mysql\_backup\_s3 | 755         | —     | folder        |
| public\_html       | 750         | —     | folder        |
| .my.cnf            | 600         | 306 b | file          |

### Top Bar — Tools and Navigation

At the top of the File Manager you will find:

* **Home icon + domain name** — Shows your current location; click the home icon to jump back to root.
* **Refresh button** — Reload the current directory (handy after uploading files via FTP).
* **New** button — Create a new file or folder.
* **Upload** button — Upload files from your computer.

### View Options

Next to the toolbar you will find **view toggle icons** that let you switch between:

* **List view** — A detailed table layout showing all columns (the default). Best for managing files.
* **Grid view** — Larger icons for each file and folder. Great for quickly scanning through images or assets.

You will also see a **"Select all"** checkbox at the top of the listing. Check it to select every item in the current directory for bulk operations like deleting or compressing multiple files at once.

***

## Creating Files and Folders

Need a new page for your site? A folder to organize your images? You can create both right from the File Manager.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Desired Location">
    Use the directory tree or click through folders to get where you want to create your new item. For website files, that is usually inside **public\_html**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the New Button">
    Click the **New** button in the top toolbar. Choose between creating a **New File** or a **New Folder**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Name">
    Type a name for your new file or folder. For example:

    * **New file:** `contact.html`, `style.css`, `config.php`
    * **New folder:** `images`, `assets`, `downloads`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Creation">
    Press **Enter** or click the confirmation button. Your new item appears in the listing immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  When creating website files, stick to lowercase names without spaces. Replace spaces with hyphens — for example, `my-page.html` instead of `My Page.html`. This avoids headaches with web servers and broken links.
</Tip>

***

## Uploading Files

Want to upload your website's logo, a new HTML page, or an entire theme package? Here is how.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Target Folder">
    Open the folder where you want the files to end up. For website assets, that is typically **public\_html** or a subfolder like `public_html/images`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Upload Button">
    Click the **Upload** button in the top toolbar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Files">
    A file picker dialog will open. Browse your computer, select one or more files, and confirm. The upload starts automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Completion">
    A progress indicator shows the upload status. Once finished, your files appear in the directory listing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Uploading a file with the same name as an existing file will **overwrite** the original without asking. Always download a backup of important files before uploading replacements.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  Uploading 50 individual files? That will take a while. Instead, **compress them into a `.zip` on your computer first**, upload the single `.zip`, then use the **Uncompress** action to extract everything on the server. Way faster.
</Tip>

***

## File and Folder Actions (Context Menu)

Every file and folder has a full set of actions. To access them, either **right-click** on the item or click the **three-dot icon** on its row.

Here is every action in the context menu and exactly when you would use each one:

### Edit

Opens the file in a **built-in code editor** right in your browser with syntax highlighting. Perfect for quick fixes.

**When to use it:** You spotted a typo on your homepage — right-click `index.html`, hit **Edit**, fix the text, save. Done in 30 seconds.

<Info>
  Edit only works with text-based files (HTML, CSS, PHP, JS, `.htaccess`, etc.). You cannot open images or archives in the editor.
</Info>

### Download

Saves a copy of the file to your local computer.

**When to use it:** You want a local backup of your `.htaccess` before making changes, or you need to grab a log file to send to support.

### Get Info

Shows detailed metadata — full file path, exact size, permissions, and modification date.

**When to use it:** You need to check a file's exact permissions or confirm when it was last modified.

### Cut

Marks the file for **moving**. Navigate to the destination folder and **paste** to complete the move.

**When to use it:** You accidentally uploaded `logo.png` to `public_html` but it belongs in `public_html/images`. Cut it, navigate to the `images` folder, paste.

### Copy

Marks the file for **copying**. Navigate to the destination and **paste** to create a duplicate.

**When to use it:** You want to create a variation of an existing page — copy `about.html`, paste it, then rename the copy to `about-v2.html` and edit it.

### Rename

Lets you change the name of a file or folder.

**When to use it:** You created `tset.html` instead of `test.html`. Quick rename fixes it.

<Warning>
  Renaming files that your website depends on (like `index.html`, `index.php`, or `.htaccess`) can break your site. Double-check before renaming critical files.
</Warning>

### Compress

Creates a `.zip` archive from the selected file or folder.

**When to use it:** You want to back up your entire website. Here is a practical example:

1. Right-click the **public\_html** folder.
2. Select **Compress**.
3. The system creates a `.zip` archive (e.g., `public_html.zip`).
4. Right-click the new `.zip` file and select **Download**.
5. You now have a full backup of your website on your local computer.

### Uncompress

Extracts the contents of an archive (`.zip`, `.tar.gz`, etc.) into the current directory.

**When to use it:** You downloaded a WordPress theme as a `.zip`, uploaded it to `public_html/wp-content/themes/`, and now you need to extract it. Right-click the `.zip`, select **Uncompress**, and the theme folder appears ready to use.

<Info>
  The Uncompress option is greyed out for files that are not archives. It only activates when you right-click a `.zip`, `.tar.gz`, or similar compressed file.
</Info>

### Permissions (CHMOD)

Opens a dialog to set the **file permissions** using the CHMOD system. This controls who can read, write, and execute a file.

Think of permissions as a three-digit lock code. Each digit controls access for a different group of people:

| Digit Position   | Controls | Who?                              |
| ---------------- | -------- | --------------------------------- |
| **First digit**  | Owner    | You (the account holder)          |
| **Second digit** | Group    | Other users in your hosting group |
| **Third digit**  | Others   | Everyone else (website visitors)  |

And each digit is a number that adds up the types of access:

| Value | Meaning                             |
| ----- | ----------------------------------- |
| **4** | Read (view the file)                |
| **2** | Write (modify the file)             |
| **1** | Execute (run the file as a program) |
| **0** | No access                           |

You add these together. So **7** = 4 + 2 + 1 = read + write + execute. **5** = 4 + 1 = read + execute. **4** = read only.

Here is what the most common permission values actually mean:

| Permission | Breakdown                                                              | Typical Use                                 |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **644**    | Owner: read+write / Group: read / Others: read                         | Standard web files (HTML, CSS, PHP, images) |
| **755**    | Owner: read+write+execute / Group: read+execute / Others: read+execute | Folders and executable scripts              |
| **750**    | Owner: read+write+execute / Group: read+execute / Others: none         | Folders with restricted public access       |
| **600**    | Owner: read+write / Group: none / Others: none                         | Sensitive config files (like `.my.cnf`)     |

**Real-world example:** Your `public_html` folder has permission **750**. That means you (the owner) have full access, your hosting group can read and browse it, but random outsiders on the server cannot peek inside. Your web server is configured to serve files from it, so your website visitors still see your pages normally through the browser.

<Warning>
  Never set permissions to **777** (full access for everyone). This is a serious security risk — anyone on the server could read, modify, or delete your files. Stick to **644** for files and **755** for folders.
</Warning>

### Delete

Permanently removes the selected file or folder. This action is shown in **red** in the context menu as a warning — there is no recycle bin here.

**When to use it:** You are cleaning up old backups or removing files you no longer need. Always make sure you have a backup before deleting anything important.

***

## Understanding the Directory Structure

Think of your hosting account like a house. Each room has a purpose, and putting things in the right room keeps everything working.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="public_html — Your Website's Front Door">
    The **public\_html** folder is the most important directory in your account. Think of it as your website's front door — anything you put here is visible to the world through your domain name.

    For example, if you place a file at `public_html/logo.png`, your visitors can see it at `https://yourdomain.com/logo.png`. A file at `public_html/about/team.html` becomes `https://yourdomain.com/about/team.html`.

    All your HTML pages, CSS stylesheets, JavaScript files, images, and other web assets belong inside **public\_html** or its subfolders.

    **Quick test:** Upload any file to `public_html`, then type `https://yourdomain.com/filename` in your browser. If you can see it, everything is working.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title=".mysql_backup_s3 — Database Backups">
    This folder contains automated backups of your MySQL databases. These are managed by the hosting system and provide a safety net in case you need to restore a database to a previous state.

    You generally do not need to touch anything in here — just know it exists and has your back.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title=".my.cnf — MySQL Configuration">
    The **.my.cnf** file stores MySQL client configuration details for your hosting account. Notice its permission is **600** — that means only you (the owner) can read it. This is intentional because it contains database connection info.

    This file is managed by the system. Leave it alone unless you know exactly what you are doing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Hidden Files and Folders (Dot Files)">
    Files and folders starting with a dot (`.`) are hidden system files. The most common one you will interact with is **.htaccess**, which controls URL redirects, access rules, caching headers, and other Apache web server settings.

    The File Manager displays hidden files automatically. Be cautious when editing them — a single wrong character in `.htaccess` can take your entire site offline.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Backing Up Your Website (Step by Step)

Here is a complete walkthrough for creating a downloadable backup of your entire website:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Your Root Directory">
    Click the **home icon** in the File Manager to make sure you are at your account root.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Compress public_html">
    Right-click the **public\_html** folder and select **Compress**. Wait for the system to create the archive — this may take a moment depending on your site's size.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the Archive">
    Once the `.zip` file appears in the listing, right-click it and select **Download**. Save it somewhere safe on your computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Clean Up (Optional)">
    After downloading, you can delete the `.zip` from the server to free up disk space. Right-click it and select **Delete**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Make this a habit. Before any major change — installing a CMS, updating a theme, editing config files — take a quick backup first. Future you will be grateful.
</Tip>

***

## Best Practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Keep Regular Backups" icon="cloud-arrow-down">
    Always download copies of important files before making changes. Use **Compress** then **Download** to create quick backup archives. It takes 30 seconds and can save you hours of headaches.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use public_html for Web Files" icon="folder-open">
    Place all website-related files inside **public\_html** or its subfolders. Files stored outside this directory will not be accessible from the web — they are invisible to visitors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understand Permissions" icon="lock">
    Use **644** for files and **755** for folders as your defaults. If something is not working, check permissions first — they are the most common cause of "permission denied" errors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Meaningful Names" icon="tag">
    Name files and folders clearly with lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens. `company-logo.png` is much better than `IMG_20260315_001.png` when you are hunting for files six months later.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I edit PHP files in the File Manager?">
    Yes. The built-in code editor supports PHP along with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and many other text-based file types. Right-click the file, select **Edit**, and you are in. The editor even has syntax highlighting to make your code easier to read.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the maximum file upload size?">
    The maximum upload size depends on your hosting plan's configuration. If you need to upload very large files, consider using SFTP as an alternative, or upload a compressed archive and extract it on the server using the **Uncompress** action.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I undo a file deletion?">
    No. Once a file is deleted through the File Manager, it is gone — there is no recycle bin or undo button. Always download a backup of important files before deleting them. If you have automated backups enabled, you may be able to restore from a previous backup.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my website showing a blank page or error?">
    The most common causes are:

    * **Missing `index.html` or `index.php`** in your `public_html` folder.
    * **Wrong file permissions** — try setting files to **644** and folders to **755**.
    * **Syntax error in `.htaccess`** — if you recently edited this file, revert your changes.

    Check these three things first and you will solve the problem 90% of the time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I show hidden files in the File Manager?">
    Hidden files (those starting with a dot, like `.htaccess` and `.my.cnf`) are displayed automatically in the File Manager. If you do not see them, look for a **Show Hidden Files** toggle in the File Manager's settings or options menu.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I uploaded files but my website still shows the old version?">
    Try these quick fixes in order:

    1. **Hard refresh your browser** — press `Ctrl + Shift + R` (or `Cmd + Shift + R` on Mac).
    2. **Clear your browser cache** — cached files can persist for hours.
    3. **Click the refresh button** in the File Manager to confirm the files actually uploaded.
    4. **Check the file path** — make sure you uploaded to `public_html` and not the account root by accident.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
  * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** File management made simple.
</div>